Surname Runciman - Meaning and Origin
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Runciman: What does the surname Runciman mean?
The surname Runciman is Scottish in origin. It is a topographic name for someone who lived at the outer edge of a settlement or on a boundary, derived from the Middle English elements "rand" or "rant" meaning "rim", "edge" or "border", and "man" meaning "man". Therefore, it can be interpreted as "man on the edge". Some records also suggest that it could be an occupational name for a shield-bearer, from an extended sense of the same element, "runtman", since the rim or edge of a shield was a particularly important part. The family was known to hold a family seat in Berwickshire, located in the southeastern part of Scotland, since ancient times. Today, it is a relatively uncommon last name.
Order DNA origin analysisRunciman: Where does the name Runciman come from?
The last name Runciman is most common in the United Kingdom today. It is especially prevalent in the Scottish county of Ayrshire, as well as in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The surname can also be found in Northeastern England, especially in Northumbria and Yorkshire. It is believed to have originated in Scotland, and the name Runciman is derived from Norman French, which suggests it may have come with the Norman invasion of England in 1066.
Likewise, the name is uncommon in other parts of the United Kingdom, including much of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, Runciman is often visible in British records pertaining to Mary Queen of Scots, specifically the taxation records of 1570-1598.
Moreover, the last name is also present in other nations today, including Australia, India, Canada, and the United States. It has even been noted in parts of continental Europe, although the frequency of the name there is much lower than it is in the UK.
Regardless, Runciman remains a popular name throughout the British Isles today, and its origin from Scotland is seen in many places. Aside from simply being a surname, there are even some people with the name Runciman who are related to famous families such as the Dukes of Hamilton.
Variations of the surname Runciman
Runciman is an Old English surname, likely derived from a place name. Variants of the name include Runciman, Runceman, Runcyman, Runseman, Ronceman, Ronseman and Runseemon.
The earliest record of the Runciman surname dates back to 1273, when a Walter Runceman appears in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire. By the 16th Century, the Runciman family had become established in the Scottish Borders region.
Historically, the original spelling of Runciman was Runceman, which quickly became Runseman throughout Scotland. Variations of spellings include 'Runcyman' in Northumberland, 'Runseemon' in Lancashire, and 'Ronceman' or 'Ronseman' in Scotland.
The Runcimans were often known by their character rather than their given name, so there are many other surnames that could be related to Runciman, such as Runcit, Runcie, Runke, Runcker, Runkel, Runks, Runkard and Runser.
Though Runciman is predominantly found in the North of England and Scotland, there has been some migration of the family further south, into areas of Yorkshire, Hampshire, London and even America, contributing to the diversity in spellings of the surname.
Famous people with the name Runciman
- Stephen Runciman: Scottish history professor and hereditary peer in the House of Lords.
- Alexander Runciman: Scottish politician and Member of Parliament for Galloway.
- James Runciman: Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
- Nial Runciman: British DJ and former presenter of the BBC show The Tube.
- Angus Runciman: Scottish geologist and leading member of the Aberdour Geological Society.
- David Runciman: British professor of politics in the University of Cambridge.
- Jock Runciman: British politician and Member of Parliament for Bexley-Isle of Wight.
- Abigail Runciman: British brand manager for The Institute of Fundraising.
- Sir Walter Runciman: democratically elected president of the Board of Trade.
- Kirsty Runciman: Scottish lawyer and member of the Scottish Parliament.